ORDER ONLY - successful rendezvous

[alt_mcgonagall]

We have had a successful handoff. Secundus -- Charlie Weasley, that is -- brought dragon heartstrings to me in addition to the Ministry-sanctioned dragon's blood he was to deliver. He also had a cheering little visit with Quartus, Quintus, Sextus and Septima. It was an excellent excuse to have him come all the way to the castle, rather than sending for me and risking an unsecured chat.

Most significantly, he delivered to me the given names of several key figures who have come to the Sanctuary at the solstices. I have done a little research on my own, and I believe them to be members of the Department of Mysteries, though there is no proof. They are Yvaine and Philo. Assuming their names are still the ones they attended Hogwarts under, Philo must be Philo Marsh, a few years younger than I; he was a Ravenclaw. Yvaine I have not been able to find in the Book, and is perhaps a pseudonym -- or a middle name, which is not always listed.

I shall, of course, keep my eyes open for them in any Ministry records I come across -- but I think Secundus may be our best hope, as he may convince their tongues to slip next Solstice.

Comments

[alt_mcgonagall]

He is staying -- but I hardly know whether I will have a moment to meet him between, as I am not in charge of the creation of challenges themselves.

[alt_sirius]

But you wouldn't need to meet him. He'd just have to get anything he acquires to Poppy. I think. Maybe.

Pomona's still Head of Hufflepuff House and the other champion, Diggory, he's a Hufflepuff, right? So she'd have a reason to be nearby. Circe, Poppy herself, for that matter, though it's more likely she'd be occupied taking care of whomever gets scorched or clawed (which shan't be Harry, don't worry, I'll see to that!).

That's always assuming that there'll be some free-flowing dragon's blood available and that Poppy can prepare it for proper use.

Still. It's a thought.

[alt_sirius]

You know who else could be convinced to partake in a little opportunistic potions-ingredient acquisition?

Sluggy.

[alt_poppy]

Just reading this now, sorry.

But you are right. About Horace. That's a quite a brilliant suggestion, actually.

I'll have a chat with him about seeing if he can obtain some for the school's use, because it is true that there are ways of preparing it to extend its shelf life. Not for the Cinnabaris Vitalis potion, which requires an extremely fresh draw, but if it were quickly and correctly processed, it would retain its usefulness for a number of purposes. Including one or two I might mention to Horace as reasons for my wishing to have a bit more than I've been provided so far, and I suspect he will be able to think of several uses of his own.

I suppose, then, that it depends what, exactly, Severus proposes to do with it and whether he needs it warm from the beast or whether he could make use of a preserved sample.